PICTURE OF LABOUR

Hokitika Guardian, 25 June 1932, Page 2

PICTURE OF LABOUR

ATTITUDE TO GOVERNMENT. PUTTING GRIT IN THE WHEELS.. WELLINGTON, June 23. There has been .a good deal of comment regarding the unhelpful attitude of the Labour-Socialist Party s political leaders in th e pre-cut economic crisis (says the Wellington -‘Dominion"). More especially Ins this been the case in (recent days when members of the party have been nailing round the couu,-iy addressing meetings, shouting denunciation of everyth'ng the Government may d;> or propose to do, and urging people to sign the partyV petition calling on the Government to resign.

Humour is not a. strong pout with Air Holland and his inner circle of stalwarts. Yet surely they must seethe laughable .-ode of their machinemade petition. How they would chuckle and deride their opponents were they in siml'ar circumstances foolish enough to adopt the name course. Picture Mr flTblland returned by a large majority of the voters of the people and pledged to carry out -a definite policy. Immediately he proceeds carry out that policy his opponents, itching for office, promote a pet't'on calling on lihn to resign so that they themselves may jump into the vacant geaV, How much notice would the Loader of the Labour-Socialist group take of such a petition in such circumstances ? How very silly he would think it to be. And so It would he. And so is th> present petition. But whil e the petition may be treated as one of those extravagant and unpractical gestures which so often discount th- efforts of the political leaders, of the Labour-Socialist Party, there is a serious side to their present activities. Mr Holland and IPs associate 7 appear to have utterly tailed to appreciate their responsibility to .assist in helping tile, country through its difficuhies. Their on e idea appears to bo to make political capital out of the suffering- of (lie community.

That may seem a. har,sh indictment of their activities but the facts are plain enough to speak lor themselves. They condemn the policy and actions of the Government morning, noon and night, hut they offer no practical alternatives. They promote discontent by generalising on what could or should be done but they scWoin come down to definite details which will fit in with the facts of the situation.

This lack of constructive! ideas is conspicuous in recent -speeches delivered by Labour .members in Wellington and elsewhere. On the problem of unemployment, for instance, they have nothing helpful to say. It is a fair example, moreover, because employment should bo a subject which the. Labour Party is competent to discuss. Yet it has so far failed to come to grips with this grave problem. Neither as a party nor through its various organisations has it 'shown a disposition to suggest or do anything practical. As with unemployment, it *"* 'with other public questions. The Lab-our-Socialists put forward no remedy. They condemn the reduction of wages but avoid explaining how they would maintain wages and employment at one and the same time. The national income has fallen and those who trouble, to think realise they cannot have it both ways. Most people recognise that it is better Jto keep on 1000 men at £4 10s n week than sack 100 and employ the remaining 900 at £5 a week. But the Labour Party pretends that it would neither dismiss any men nor reduce wages. It does not say how the money is to be found out. of iucom e that does no: exist.

Most of the worke* s have realised by now the uselessness of this attitude. liut the Labour-Socialists persists in repeating their humbug and so promote discontent among the thoughtless anu inflame the passions of the vicious. It is a policy of agitation and discord where there should be cooperation and harmony. It is unfortunate that Mr Holi'and and his colleagues have persistently refused lo <x3-operate with the Government in seeking -to bring the country through its troubles as speedily as possible. It is still more unfortunate, however, that the Labour-Socialist leaders should endeavour to hamper and embarrass the Government by every means within their power. It is b'

enough in time of national emergency to And public; men taking up an unhelpful attitude. It is infinitely wor-e when they bestir themselves only to throw grit in the wheels.